[Hyogo Tajima] Part 1: Thorough explanation of the nature-filled power spots of San'in Kaigan Geopark!

• Table of Contents
• What is San’in Kaigan Geopark?
• "Hachigoro's Toshima Wetland" where a stork descends
• "Genbudo Park" A power spot where you can feel the wonders of nature
• ① Highlights of Genbudo Cave
• ②Highlights of Seiryu Cave
• ➂Highlights of Byakko Cave
• ④Highlights of Kitasuzakudo Cave
• ➄Highlights of Minami Suzaku Cave
• Access information Genbudo Park
• [Official website] Hyogo prefecture tourism site HYOGO! navigation

What is San’in Kaigan Geopark?

"Hachigoro's Toshima Wetland" where a stork descends

▲The artificial nest tower of the white stork in the center of Toshima Wetland in Toyooka City Hachigoro

Toyooka City Hachigoro's Tojima Wetland is a bright wetland that is perfect for storks to catch food.

▲Bird observation building floating in Toshima Wetland (left)

Why not visit the ``Stork Tourist Spot'' where you can learn about the long journey of storks from extinction, protection, and reintroduction to the wild. Please check below for details.

[Toyooka City Official Website] Hachigoro's Toshima Wetland

[Visit Kinosaki Official Website] Stork sightseeing spots

"Genbudo Park" A power spot where you can feel the wonders of nature

Genbudo Park is located on the banks of the Maruyama River near Kinosaki Onsen, and is a scenic spot that is a representative natural heritage site of the UNESCO Global Geopark-certified San'in Kaigan Geopark. It has also been registered as a nationally designated natural monument as San'in Kaigan National Park.

"Genbudo Park" is made up of five caves: Genbudo, Seiryudo, Byakkodo, and Suzakudo (Kita Suzakudo, Minami Suzakudo). It is named after the ``Four Gods,'' the four spiritual beasts that govern the four directions of the heavens in Chinese mythology.

Genbudo Cave guide available in English

A Genbudo Cave guide will walk with you through the park and provide information about the nationally designated natural monuments ``Genbudo Cave'' and ``Seiryu Cave.''

It becomes much more interesting to tour while listening to stories about the formation and history of the earth, the topography of Toyooka City, etc.

[Price] Free

[Reservation] If you would like to be guided, please make a reservation in advance with Genbudo Park (TEL: 0796-22-4774).

(English-speaking guides are also available.)

*Please note that the number of guides is limited, so we may not be able to accommodate you.

The regular cracks found in rocks are called "joints," and those that form pillars are called "columnar joints."

It is also a geologically important spot. In 1931, Dr. Motonori Matsuyama of Kyoto University conducted research that led to the discovery of ``geomagnetic reversal,'' and it is internationally known as an important place that opened a new door in earth science. In 2022, it was selected as one of the world's top 100 geological heritage sites.

① Highlights of Genbudo Cave

The largest cave is ``Genbudo'', where you can see the spectacular hexagonal stone pillars ``columnar joints'' made of basalt. In fact, the name "basalt" is said to have come from the name of this cave. The stone word for basalt is ``increase vitality and keep away evil spirits''.

The strata of Genbudo Cave were formed when the lava that flowed out from the eruption of Mt. Futami that occurred 1.6 million years ago cooled and solidified. Afterwards, the contrast between the artificially created cave as a quarry and the unearthed pillars creates a dynamic landscape.

Genbudo Cave was severely damaged by the Great Hokutan Earthquake in 1922, but the collapsed basalt is now used for stone walls in the local Akaishi village and for the revetment of the Otoshi River that flows through Kinosaki Onsen Town.

▲ “Genbudo Park” light-up held in autumn

The annual illumination of Genbudo Park is held from mid-October to early November. Genbudo Cave is a natural hall with very delicate and wonderful acoustics, and is often used for concerts. Concerts in the natural world are very soothing and relaxing.

②Highlights of Seiryu Cave

Even within Genbudo Park, Seiryu Cave is especially famous for its columnar joints made up of hexagonal stone pillars. These columnar joints are formed when hot lava contracts as it cools, and extend from the surface of the lava toward its center.

Seiryu Cave has an impressive cliff that is 33 meters high and 40 meters wide, and it is said that its reflection in the pond looks like a rising dragon.

Like the stone pagoda in the middle, it is popular as a power spot that will help you pass the exam even though it looks like it will fall.

It is known as a power spot for making wishes, where if you place a pebble or money on the stone pagoda in the middle of the pond, your wish will come true.

➂Highlights of Byakko Cave

▲Byakko Cave

At the front of Byakko Cave, you can see a cross section of columnar joints extending horizontally. You will notice that the shape is thinner than the columnar joints of Genbudo. There is a stone with a heart-shaped cross section, and it is known as a power spot for fulfilling love.

④Highlights of Kitasuzakudo Cave

▲Kita Suzaku Cave

➄Highlights of Minami Suzaku Cave

If you look at the rocks next to Kita Suzaku Cave and Minami Suzaku Cave, there are no joints and the surface is rough. It seems that because the surface of the lava cooled down rapidly and solidified, very few columnar joints were formed.

Basic information Genbudo Park

Phone: 0796-22-4774 (Zentan Bus/Shinki Bus joint venture)

Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30)

Closed days: Closed days may change or there may be temporary closing days. Please check the homepage.

Admission fee: Adult Individual: 500 yen Group (20 or more people): 400 yen

Student Individual: 300 yen Group (more than 20 people): 240 yen *If you present your disability certificate, you can get half the admission fee.

Part 2: Introducing popular gourmet food and sweets that you can enjoy in nature at San'in Kaigan Geopark!

We introduce the charms of the San'in Kaigan Geopark in two articles, the first part and the second part. Continuing from the first part, in the second part we will introduce the details of ``Restaurant & Cafe Genbudo'''s popular menu using locally produced ingredients'' below.

Basic Information Restaurant & Cafe Genbudo

Phone: 0796-23-3821

Business hours: 09:00-17:00 (LO 16:30) *Please check the official website for details.

Morning: 09:00-11:00, Lunch: 11:00-15:00 (LO 14:50)

Regular holidays: January 1st every year, December 31st every year Please check the website for other dates.

Parking: Free 100 regular cars, 10 buses

Access to Restaurant & Cafe Genbudo

By train

■A ferry departs from in front of JR Genbudo Station (charges apply, reservations required).

[Ferry] In front of the Zentan bus stop of JR "Genbudo Station" "Genbudo" (outbound) and the opposite bank of the Maruyama River

Genbudo Museum Shita (return trip) is the pier.

*If you are planning to board the ship, please make a reservation by phone (0796-23-3821) the day before or on the day.

[Pleasure boat] A mini pleasure boat is also in operation from Genbudo Museum.

*4 flights a day 10:00, 11:00, 13:55, 15:15 (paid, reservation required)

We also recommend viewing the San'in Kaigan Geopark from a boat while taking a cruise along the Maruyama River.

Access information Genbudo Park

By car

■ Osaka/Kobe Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes ⇒ Chugoku Expressway (Yoshikawa JCT) ⇒ Maizuru Wakasa Expressway (Kasuga JCT) ⇒ Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway ⇒ Tajima Airport IC ⇒ Genbudo Park

■ Himeji Approximately 2 hours ⇒ Bantan connecting road (Wadayama IC) ⇒ Kitakinki Toyooka Expressway ⇒ Tajima Airport IC ⇒ Genbudo Park

■ Kyoto Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes ⇒ Kyoto Jukan Expressway (Miyazu Amanohashidate IC) ⇒ San'in Kinki Expressway (Kyotango Omiya IC) ⇒ Genbudo Park

By train

■ Osaka (JR San'in Main Line Limited Express Kounotori) approximately 2 hours 30 minutes ⇒ Toyooka Station (*1 approximately 15 minutes by taxi) ⇒ Genbudo Park (JR Bantan Line Limited Express Hamakaze) approximately 2 hours 40 minutes ⇒ Toyooka Station *1 ⇒ Genbudo park

■ Osaka (Limited Express Kounotori) Approximately 2 hours 40 minutes Kinosaki Onsen Station (*2 Approximately 10 minutes by taxi) ⇒ Genbudo Park

(Limited Express Hamakaze) Approximately 2 hours 50 minutes Kinosaki Onsen Station *2 ⇒ Genbudo Park

■ Kobe (Limited Express Hamakaze) Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes Toyooka Station *1 ⇒ Genbudo Park

(Limited Express Hamakaze) Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes Kinosaki Onsen Station *2 ⇒ Genbudo Park

■ Kyoto (JR San'in Main Line Limited Express Kinosaki) Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes Toyooka Station *1 ⇒ Genbudo Park

(JR San'in Main Line Limited Express Kinosaki) Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes Kinosaki Onsen Station *2 ⇒ Genbudo Park

By plane * Two flights a day from Tokyo (via Osaka) , approximately 2 hours to Stork Tajima Airport

■ Tokyo (Haneda) JAL flight 103 ⇒ Osaka (Itami) JAL flight 2321 ⇒ Stork Tajima Airport ⇒ Toyooka Station ⇒ Genbudo Park

■Tokyo (Haneda) JAL flight 125 ⇒ Osaka (Itami) JAL flight 2325 ⇒ Stork Tajima Airport ⇒ Toyooka Station ⇒ Genbudo Park

[Official website] Hyogo prefecture tourism site HYOGO! navigation

The official website of Hyogo Tourism Headquarters, which provides tourist information for Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe, Himeji, Kinosaki, Awaji Island, etc.). There is a lot of recommended travel information, including special sightseeing spots such as Hyogo Prefecture's Japanese heritage sites and cycling, as well as model courses where you can enjoy hot spring culture and Japanese sake, so be sure to check it out!

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